Clayton b



(No Model.)

Witnesses:

0. B. GRIFFIN. GLASP OB, BUCKLE.

Patented July 22, 1890.

Inventor arneys.

afina to., wmurkm wAsHlNnTuN n n CLAYTON B. GRIFFIN, OF DUNNVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA.

CLASP OR BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 432,731, dated July 22, 1890. I Application filed January 29, 1890. Serial No. 333,508. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known'that I, CLAYTON BURNAM GRIF- FIN, of Dunnville, in the county of Haldi mand and Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps or Buckles; and I do hereby declare that the following' description of my said invention, taken in connection with. the accompanying sheet of drawings, formsa full, clear, and exact specification, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has general reference to improvements in cuff, sleeve, and similar holders, necktiefasteners garters, Suspenders, shoulder-straps, and similar articles; and it consists, essentially, in the novel and peculiar combinations of parts and details of construction, as hereinafter first fully set forth and described, and then pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings heretofore mentioned, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved fasteners. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central section in line oc a; of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar View of my device, showing` the lever depressed and the jaw closed, said view also illustrating.;` .the means for adjustably attaching the fasteners to the straps. -f"\ Like parts are designated by corresponding letters of reference in all the figures.

The object of my invention is the production of a simple, cheap, and efficient fastener for neckties, garters, Suspenders, shoulderstraps, cor set-straps, cuff and sleeve holders, and the like. To attain this result, I construct my device substantially as shown in the drawings,in which- A is the base provided with the two vertical side walls A A and at one end with a horizontal extension b. These side walls have near their lower ends, adjacentA to the said extension i), semicircular notches or recesses e, Fig. l, while upon the opposite end the said walls are ont down to form low ledges a a', between which isplaced a bed B, of rubber or other elastic material, which is clamped in position by pressing the ledges over the same or in any other desirable manner.

Between the side walls and over the bed of elastic material is located a jaw, which is con- ;structed, preferably, of a single piece of wire I bent into a U shape over the elastic bed, the side wires C O of which extend backward to` opposij'e the semicircular notches in the side walls, A.where the wires extend outward on op- :posite sides at right angles, as at h h', from whence the same extend backward at right .angles and parallel to each other, after which they extend inwardly at right angles, to a Vmeeting7 the latter portion forming a rectangular frame acting `in conjunction with a cross-bar d, sliding over the parallel members c c', forming a buckle or clasp for attaching the fastener. After the wire is thus formed `I place the same between the side walls,with the wires at 7L 7L in the seinicircnlar notches e in said side walls, and then bend the extension h over the wires and between the side ewalls as illustrated in the 'several figures,

thereby forming a pivot or fastening for the jaw and also a stop to limit the upward motion lof the said jaw. Underneaththis jaw I place a cushion t', preferably of rubber or other elastic material, to force the same upward.

In the upper portions of theside walls, at `or near the forward corners thereof, I locate apertures e opposite each other for the reception of earsff of a lever E. rlhis le ver E is provided on both sides with lateral extensions forming pivots ff', as described, engaging the apertures c', this said lever being provided with a short arin E disposed at right angles to the lever-arm E. This lever, in connection with the arm E', performs the functions of alocking-lever for the jaw, whereby when the said locking-lever is depressed the short arm E', bearing against the jaw, as illustrated in Fig. 4, will force the same against the rubber bed, and clamp between it and the same any material previously placed there.

The operation of my device is as follows: A portion of the apparel upon which it is to be used is placed-between the jaw and the bed B, after which the lever E is depressed.

In Fig. 4 my device is attached to a strap D, as shown. rlhe strap is passedover the fastening, to behind the cross-bar d, thence around and under the same, the end of the strap then being passed over the rear wall of the fastening and under the first portion of the strap.

It will now be seen that by pulling upon the ICO upper portion of the strap will draw the crossbar against the rear of the fastening and hold the strap in position, it being evident that the harderl the st rap is pulled the tighter the saine will be held. However, I desire to have it understood that any device for attaching my fastener may be used without detriment to my invention.

When my device is applied to cuff or sleeve holders, I use two of my fasteners, one attached to each end of the strap or elastic D, in the manner above described. In such cases the fastening comes particularly handy as,

for instance, supposing the device applied to a sleeve andthe tension upon the same were too tight, by simply pushing the cross-bar away from, the rear wall of the buckle the elast-ic can be drawn out sufficiently to reduce the tension to any desired extent. On the other hand, should the tension on the sleeve be insufficient, by pulling upon the under part of the strap will draw thesame through the buckle until the desired tension is obtained, when by releasing the strap will secnrely hold the same in position. It will be further observed that my device can be put to a multitude of uses without material change or modification. The greatest advantage, however, of my device over others heretofore used, to my knowledge, is that this device will not tear the fabric to which it is attached. The jaw as made and the rubber bed B obviate all liability in this direction.

The device hereinbefore described can be produced in sheet metal. The base and side walls may be blanked and formed in dies, as weil as the lever E. The wire j awcan be bent by means of bending-dies and wire-benders, and the whole,when nicely nickel, gold, or silver plated,will make a veryneat and serviceable article of manufacture, especially so since the same can be produced at an extremely low figure.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure to me by Letters Patent of the United Statesn 1. In a fastener, the combination, with the base and side walls, of a jaw consisting of a Ushaped wire located between said side walls and pivoted at the rear of the same, an attaching device formed integral with said jaw and formed by the ends of the jaw extending rearwardly parallel to each other and closed at the rear end, and a suitable slide on said wires, an elastic bed on the forward part of said base, an elastic cushion on the rear of said base under said jaw, and a locking-lever engaging said jaw.

2. The combination,with the base and side walls, of a jaw located between said side walls and consisting of a wire bent into a U shape, having its rear extremities bent outward on opposite sides and fit-ting in notches in the rear of said side walls, a bent-up portion of the base encircling the rear of said jaw, an attaching device formed integral with the opposite ends of said jaw, an elastic bed on the front of the base, an elastic cushion at the rearvpressin g against said jaw, and a locking-lever pivoted in the side walls engaging said jaw.

3. Afastener consisting of the base having the bent-up portion b at its rear end and the side walls cut away on the forward end, the ledges a a', the elastic bed on the forward end of said base between said ledges, in combination with a jaw consisting` of a U-shaped wire extending over said bed and having its rearward extremities bent outwardly on opposite Sides and rest-ing in notches e in the side walls, said bent-up portion encircling said extremities, the locking-lever E, pivoted in said side walls and engaging said jaw, and an attaching device formed integral with the ends of said jaw, substantially as described.-

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have hereto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

C. B. GRIFFIN.

Attest:

MICHAEL J. STARK, WM. O. STARK. 

